FAQs

Does it hurt?
Unfortunately, yes, but it’s not severe pain…it’s an irritating burning sensation, hard to describe but not as bad as expected.

Is there a wait time to make an appointment?
Yes, I do work by appointment, and often times there will be a wait time. I will do my best to fit you in as soon as possible and accommodate your schedule.

Is it safe?
Tattoo shops are inspected by your local health department. You should expect:
the shop to appear clean, your tattoo artist to wash their hands and wear gloves, all surfaces to be cleaned and covered in plastic, all equipment must be either disposable, or sterilized in an autoclave and taken out of the package in front of you, the tattoo machine, wash bottles and power cord must be covered in plastic bags, all ink, razors, ink caps and any other supplies used during the tattoo must be disposed of and needles must be disposed of in a sharps container.

What does it cost?
Most shops have a minimum charge, mine is $50. This cost covers supplies, labour and overhead costs. Most tattoos are priced individually, however if it requires several visits, you may be charged an hourly rate of $100/hr. Prices are based on size, colour, detail and degree of difficulty. Contact Robyn for an exact quote.

Is there an age minimum?
Though the government is slow to regulate this, most shops adhere to their own policies. At Maneki Neko Tattoo you must be 18, or 16 with parental consent, and expect to provide a valid piece of identification.

Which spots are most popular?
Trends come and go, popular spots for women are back, shoulder, ribs, ankle. For men, arms and shoulder blade. You should consider things like how it will look on the body, how visible you would like it to be and how that area will age. I do not recommend hands, faces or necks. Foot tattoos are really only able to heal uncovered, so warmer weather is ideal.

Which area of the body hurts the most?
Your most ticklish spots tend to hurt the most, ribs, feet, knees, armpits. Everybody feels pain differently and you should not base your decision of where to place your tattoo on this fact. A tattoo is forever and you will be glad you placed it where you wanted it, regardless of the temporary ouch factor.

How long will it take?
This varies with the tattoo you choose. Expect to spend around an hour for most average sized designs, and consult Robyn beforehand to discuss time frame and price.

I have a tattoo I don’t like, can it be fixed?
Absolutely! Even the largest and most unsightly of tattoos can be improved upon and/or covered up with another tattoo to disguise what’s underneath. Book a consultation and we can discuss what can be done.

I need a drawing done, what’s my first step?
Custom tattooing is offered at no extra charge to the client, however I do require a deposit in most cases. Contact me to arrange a consultation to discuss your ideas. Bring whatever reference you can find in regard to your design idea and this will help me understand what you are looking for. We can look through some samples online together when we meet in person.

Do you do piercings, or can you recommend somewhere that does?

No, I do not do any piercing, and I do not have a local recommendation, sorry. I can only vouch for shops I have had personal experience with. Do your research.

Where does the name Maneki Neko Tattoo come from?
The Maneki Neko, literally “beckoning cat”, is one of the most common good luck charms in Japan and Asia. Found frequently in shop windows, the Maneki Neko sits with it’s paw raised and bent, beckoning customers to enter. There are countless superstitions about cats in Asia.

In the 17th century, there was a rundown and poverty stricken temple in Tokyo. The temples’ priest was very poor, but he shared what food he had with his pet cat. One day a wealthy and important man was caught in a storm while hunting and took refuge under a tree near the temple. While waiting for the storm to pass, he noticed an unusual sight, a cat beckoning him to come closer. Just at that moment, the tree was hit by lightning. As a result the man became friends with the poor priest and the temple became prosperous. The priest and the cat never went hungry again. When the cat died many years later, the Maneki Neko figurine was made in his honour and is said to bring wealth, good luck and many visitors to any person who displays it in their business or home.